ARCHIVED - 5010-PC Information for Residents of British Columbia

All the information you need to calculate your British Columbia tax and credits is on the following pages. You will find two copies of Form BC428, British Columbia Tax, and Form BC479, British Columbia Credits, along with the instructions for completing them. Complete the forms that apply to you, and attach a copy to your return.

What's new for 2000?

The way you calculate your British Columbia tax has changed. It is no longer a percentage of federal income tax. Instead, you calculate it on your taxable income (line 260 of your return), the same way that you calculate your federal tax, but using British Columbia's own tax rates. Form BC428, British Columbia Tax, reflects this change.

BC Family Bonus

The BC Family Bonus program includes the Basic BC Family Bonus (BCFB) and the BC Earned Income Benefit (BCEIB).

You and your family may be entitled to tax-free monthly payments under one or both parts of the BC Family Bonus program. Benefits are combined with the Canada Child Tax Benefit into one monthly payment.

These are initiatives of the Government of British Columbia and are designed to help low- and modest-income families with the cost of raising their children.

Basic BC Family Bonus

For families with net income below $18,000, the basic Family Bonus provides the following amounts:

• $25.41 a month for the first child;
• $42.08 a month for the second child; and
• $48.33 a month for each additional child.

Families with net income above $18,000 may also be entitled to a basic Family Bonus amount depending on their net income and the number of children they have.

BC Earned Income Benefit

You may also be entitled to an earned income benefit of up to $50.41 per month for one child, $33.75 per month for a second child, and $27.50 for a third and each additional child.

The benefit begins to be phased in once family earned income exceeds $3,750. The maximum benefit is reached for families with earned income of $10,000 or more. The benefit is reduced when family net income exceeds $20,921.

There is no need to apply separately to receive payments under the BC Family Bonus. We will use the information from the Canada Child Tax Benefit application to determine your eligibility for the program.

You (and your spouse) should file your 2000 return(s) as soon as possible. The information you (and your spouse) give on your return(s) will determine how much you will get starting in July 2001.

For more information on the BC Family Bonus, call toll free 1-800-387-1193.

If you have questions…

If you have questions about British Columbia tax and credits, contact the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) at 1-800-959-8281.

The address and telephone numbers of your tax services office are listed in the federal government section of your telephone book and on the CCRA's Web site at: www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/tso/ .